Microsoft’s take on virtualization: re-print edition

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:51:00 09/26/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- “The IT industry is in the middle of the next paradigm shift toward virtualization,” said Bill Hilf, general manager of Windows Server and Platform Strategy for Microsoft Corp. Hilf visited the Philippines Friday to promote the release of Microsoft’s virtualization software in the country.

Virtualization, as defined by Microsoft, means having the power to run multiple systems, such as server, storage device, network or even an operating system and applications in just one machine, making a business run its system more efficiently. This virtualization trend comes at the right time to harness the processing power of multi-core processors being deployed in the industry.

As the next trend to shape the IT industry, virtualization can revolutionize the use of computing machines, said Hilf.

A virtualized box can run multiple operating systems compared to a traditional server without virtualization that can handle only one operating system. By deploying virtual machines, one box can serve the function achieved previously by two or more boxes without virtualization. This is also true for desktops.

“Virtualization leads to a lot of savings,” said Hilf.

First, the savings can come from lesser space to be occupied by boxes with virtualization. By having lesser boxes, this also reduces the costs required to cool the server systems. Cooling is required to remove the heat from the server environment, which when reduced translates to lower power utilities. A company can also cut the number of servers it needs to acquire for its business since one box running virtualization can serve the function of two or more servers. Virtualization software packs also offer bulk licensing, as in the case of Microsoft’s premium software products, thus bringing down licensing costs.

Another advantage of virtualization is the ability of a single machine to handle previous-generation applications while running modern applications. This is specifically beneficial to businesses that maintain servers to run old legacy applications.

“By being able to run these old legacy applications on a new, better-performance server, it will help save a lot of money,” Hilf said. Organizations thus achieve better management efficiencies in its resources.

Aside from being able to run multiple operating systems on one desktop, how can the common business person benefit from virtualization?

Explains Hilf: “Imagine this: You have a small device, maybe a laptop or just a small box. Through virtualization, you are able to access via streaming your required applications from a remote server. Technology such as Microsoft's Remote Display Protocol streams keystrokes and mouse clicks to the server and a view of the screen back to the user, who can be located hundreds of miles away from the server or desktop.”

Simply, it can allow users to access a remote PC when he is offsite.


Link: Microsoft’s take on virtualization.

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I was surprised when I saw and read this article. What the *&%$?!? This is already an "old" [relatively] thing. You should check and get VMWare instead. Well, what's the connection with HP-UX in particular? This can be done on the hardware level: node partitioning [npar]; 'though there is such as virtual partitioning [vpar].